Bill > S1542

This bill aims to ensure educational rights are upheld for incarcerated emerging adults. It amends various sections of Massachusetts law to: 1. Allow qualified students in the care or custody of the Department of Youth Services, county houses of correction, or the Department of Correction to enroll in Massachusetts public institutions of higher education. 2. Require public secondary schools to credit coursework completed by students in institutional settings towards graduation requirements and include it on their transcripts. 3. Mandate the Department of Correction to provide educational opportunities, including a minimum of 6 hours of daily classroom instruction, for individuals under 22 years old in county houses of correction or state correctional facilities, regardless of their status. This includes provisions for high school completion, higher education, vocational training, and special education services. 4. Establish the deputy commissioner for educational services to oversee standards and qualifications for teaching positions in the Department of Correction. 5. Treat individuals aged 18-26 in jails or correctional facilities as needing aid, encouragement, and guidance, consistent with positive youth development principles.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1542